A Personal and Professional Journey
IRE — Iffat Rachid Edriss — is more than a consultancy. It is a continuation of a lifelong mission rooted in love for the land, shaped by decades of experience, and inspired by the legacy of my late father, Eng. Rachid Salim Edriss, one of Lebanon’s first and most respected landscape engineers.
For over forty years, I’ve walked through gardens, coastlines, forests and farmlands, not just designing spaces, but listening to them. With each season, I’ve learned that the Earth speaks in signs: a returning bird, a thriving mushroom, a silent tree. These are my teachers.
IRE was born from this deep listening; a practice of healing landscapes, restoring balance, and designing with humility and intention.
This platform is a space to share that journey, and to offer what I’ve learned in service of communities, cities, and ecosystems in need of care.
I’m especially grateful to Dr. Lina Tabshi, whose encouragement helped bring IRE into public light, and to all those who understand that sustainability is not a trend … it’s a way of life.
Eng. Iffat Rachid Edriss
Director's Note
“At IRE, we believe that the future of our built environment depends on blending sustainability, nature, and innovative design. Each project brings us closer to building resilient, harmonious spaces where nature and human progress coexist seamlessly. Inspired by the memory of Lebanon’s first landscape engineer, Rachid Edriss, we aim to create environments that benefit both people and the planet.”
— Iffat R. Edriss, Director
At the Institute for Regenerative Environment (IRE), our mission is to design and cultivate resilient landscapes and urban environments that work in harmony with nature. We are committed to addressing the urgent challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and urban degradation through innovative, science-driven, and community-centered solutions. Every project we undertake is a step toward regenerating ecosystems, empowering communities, and building a sustainable future.
Guided by international sustainability frameworks and informed by four decades of on-ground experience, our work is dedicated to shaping spaces where people and nature thrive together — from coastal zones and city streets to public gardens and ecological sanctuaries.
We envision a world where urbanization regenerates rather than depletes — where cities breathe, coastlines flourish, and communities coexist with nature in a balanced and equitable way.
IRE’s vision is to lead a global movement in regenerative urban development, one that transforms cities into biodiverse, climate-resilient, and culturally rooted environments. Through visionary planning, ecological innovation, and inclusive design, we aspire to reconnect people with the living systems that support them and inspire generations to become stewards of the land.
Transform Beirut into a Model Sustainable City
Through the Beirut 2050 Vision, we aim to establish Beirut as a benchmark for eco-urbanism, resilience, and cultural continuity.
Our strategic approach is built on four foundational pillars that guide our work across all projects and collaborations:
To realize our mission and vision, we have set forth the following long-term goals:
